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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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Mark Nessia/Mark Nessia Photography
0
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 6-37
15
Winner Grand Canyon GCU 28-26
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
6-37
0
Final
15
Grand Canyon GCU
28-26
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Grand Canyon GCU 1 9 1 4 X 15 13 0

W: Morrison, Yesenia (9-6) L: Evans, Summer (1-21)

Game Recap: Softball |

`Runners Fall To GCU, Prepare For Elimination Game

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – A slow start to the Western Athletic Conference Tournament led to a first-round loss for CSU Bakersfield's softball team on Wednesday. The Roadrunners were defeated by fourth-seeded Grand Canyon in the opening game of the double elimination tournament, but will return to the NM State Softball Complex on Thursday for another game.

GCU got out to an early lead on the `Runners when Sierra Smith's RBI double plated Loriann Olson in the bottom of the first inning. CSUB looked to answer in the top of the second when Chris Hipa led off the frame with a double off the wall. The Lopes managed to retire the next three `Runners to get out of the threat.

In the bottom of the second, a hit batter followed by a double and a walk loaded the bases for GCU with no outs. Laynee Gomez hit an RBI single to extend the Lopes' lead to 2-0. A pitching change to freshman Daryn Hitzel did not change the momentum as Loriann Olson hit a grand slam and GCU went on to score nine runs in the frame to take a 10-0 lead.

A solo home run in the bottom of the third pushed GCU's advantage to 11 runs. The Lopes tacked on four more runs in the fourth to take a 15-0 lead into the fifth and final inning.

Down to their final three outs, the `Runners were unable to get a rally going and fell in the opening round. CSUB had several batters hit balls sharply, including Julea Cavazos' line drive to short on the final play of the game, but the balls did not fall to the right places as GCU sealed the win.

The highlight of the day for CSUB was Hipa, Bakersfield's junior utility player. The native of Aiea, Hawai'i started the game as CSUB's second baseman and went 1-for-1 at the plate with a walk. Hipa also took the circle to relieve for the `Runners during the fourth inning. Third baseman Paige Johnson was 1-for-2 with a single on Wednesday.

CSUB (6-37) carries on to fight another day as the `Runners are headed for an elimination game on Thursday. Bakersfield will take on the loser of the No. 3 Seattle U and No. 2 Utah Valley game with first pitch for the `Runners scheduled for 7 p.m. (MT).
 
~GoRunners.com~
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